Babi Ahluwalia, who designs Sachin and Babi with her husband Sachin, knows Mumbai well. It’s a city that the two, who hail from India, have visited often. Most recently, they traveled to Mumbai to celebrate the launch of their new 7-piece capsule collection, created for the opening of W Goa. Here, Babi Ahluwalia provides an exclusive insider’s view into the city, from her favorite places to how it compares to life in New York. As she put it, “People in New York City share the same zest for life and ambition with the people of Mumbai.”

FAVORITE THING: The kinetic energy. The sea. The People. The positivity of the city—there is an enormous support there for local artists. If you want something you can make it happen.

LEAST FAVORITE THING: The smell of the backwaters after the monsoon. The plight of street kids really breaks your heart especially in the old shanty areas.

MUST DO: Take a ride around the queen’s necklace late in the evening to enjoy the vista.

MUST SEE: The Elephanta Caves are a must see. They are quite beautiful.

WHERE TO EAT: The Breach Candy Club

WHERE TO CHILL: Trishna, hands down!

BEST STREET STYLE: North and South Mumbai have different street styles. You can see a lot in a car zipping by the bazaars. For South Bombay, I would check out the pub scene in Bandra. For North Bombay, outside the universities and the club scene.

LIFE AS AN INDIAN BORN DESIGNER LIVING IN THE U.S.: In India tradition and diligence are highly valued as is a love of culture. When I came to NY I kind of applied the same sensibility and am still a traditional person. NYC was similar yet different, I found people with the same point of view. Of course, there were cultural differences, but people in NYC share the same zest for life and ambition with the people of Mumbai. Although I was raised in India, I became an adult in NYC and owe my career and success to the city. It’s hard to say which feels more like home now.

WHAT YOU ALWAYS MISS ABOUT MUMBAI: The food and my relatives.